Purdue canceled classes for the seventh time in 30 years

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (The Exponent) – With only six snow days in 30 years, Purdue canceled classes Wednesday.

President Mitch Daniels made the call around 6 a.m. Wednesday to shut down all non-essential operations on Purdue’s campus until 1 p.m. At around 11:20 a.m., the university made the call to shut down operations until 6 a.m. Thursday.

According to the Weather Channel, about six inches of snow began accumulating in the West Lafayette area in a 24-hour period.

Though the class cancellation marks the seventh in 30 years, it is the third for students and faculty who have been around for four or more years. The last two snow days occurred on back-to-back days in February 2011 during a time many students referred to as the “Snowpocalypse.” Previously, the other snow-related cancellations at Purdue happened in February 2007 and January of 1984, 1994 and 1999.

Chad Evans, chief meteorologist for WLFI 18, said this year has brought an unprecedented amount of snow, making it the snowiest winter since 1982.